Mosquito Bay, South Head, Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand

Description: At the end of South Head Rd is steep track to small bay near head of harbour. According to Maori tradition, the name Kaipara had its origins back in the 15th century when the Arawa chief, Kahumatamomoe, travelled to the Kaipara to visit his nephew at Pouto. At a feast, he was so impressed with the cooked root of the para fern, that he gave the name Kai-para to the district. "Kai" means food in the Māori language. Kaipara Harbour is a large enclosed harbour estuary complex. The harbour extends for some 60 kilometres from north to south. By area, the Kaipara Harbour is one of the largest harbours in the world. It covers 947 square kilometres at high tide, with 409 square kilometres exposed as mudflats and sandflats at low tide. The harbour shoreline is convoluted by the entry of many rivers and streams, and is about 800 kilometres long. (Source: Wikipedia)